Outlook Shade- a Babe - are they any good? Any cheap alternatives?

[Jojay]

We're off on hols to Lanzarote in a few weeks, and after doing battle with various rubbish parasols last year, I'd like to try something else.

The Outlook Shade a Babe looks good but does anyone know of a cheap imitations? Or has anyone got a cheap second hand one they'd like to sell me??!!

I have a Phil and Ted's (used in singles mode ATM, baby #2 on the way) and a stroller. I'd like to be able to use it on both.

How old are your children? We used a shade a babe for our twins when they were about a year old and they hated it right through until they were two-ish at which point I gave ours to the local charity shop.

I think the older toddlers get the harder it is as there is very little visibility for them through it, it really is very dark and meshed. I think they must get quite hot under them as well. The velcro tabs that kept it on were quite unwieldy as well so it would flap about in strong winds and generally look a bit of a mess!

They spent their whole time screaming and pulling it away so they could see out of the pram! A younger baby would be fine, especially if you wanted them to sleep uninterrupted.

I wouldn't buy one again but I have been recommended the protect-a-bub which is stocked by lots of people - it means they can still see out.

www.olivers-baby-care.co.uk/Protect-a-Bub/49pol912p.asp

I've used a shade a babe for my two, right up to age three or so. They were fine with it, though it does limit the view. We spent a lot of time in Australia and felt it did give more reliable cover than a parasol and easier to transport, but its down to the individual I guess.

Have to say the protect a bub looks like an improvement though.
I'll have a look and see it we still have ours lurking about.

we used protect a bub, it is great, just need to find the thing again.

DS is nearly 18 momths - I haven't used anything like it before so I don't know if he'll like it or not - he's ok with a rain cover though.

Protect-a-bub looks interesting though............

I have a Ray Shade, which is cheaper than Protect a bub and looks fairly similar. I also think the Solar Shade that Outlook do (they make shade a babe) looks v.good as well. DS1 hated the shade a babe although they are better coverage, it's also really bulky to fold up.